How India's top startups and companies were built — origin stories, growth journeys, and milestones.
The cash-rich Indian Premier League, as a product and brand, has emerged as one of the most profitable arms of cricket. Since its inception in 2008, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s brainchild has risen by leaps and bounds to be adequately represented by the title sponsors&
The IPL business model blends cricket, entertainment, and marketing to create a billion-dollar sports league. Discover its revenue streams, franchise system, and explosive growth over the years.
Founded in 2020 in the middle of a global pandemic, Thinkdom began as a small experiment in reimagining corporate learning. Today, the Bangalore-headquartered, remote-first Learning Experience Design and Performance Consulting firm has delivered close to 1100 projects, impacted over 500,000 learners, and grown largely through organic and referral-driven business.
Building a lasting brand goes beyond visibility. Explore 5 key principles that help founders create meaningful, consistent, and trusted brands that stand the test of time.
MTandT Rentals Limited (“MRL”), a leading provider of aerial work platforms and ground protection access solutions in India, announced an investment of INR 100 Crore from ValueQuest S.C.A.L.E. Fund II. The investment will support MRL’s next phase of growth and expansion across India. Enabling Safer
In this insightful conversation, Clelia Cecilia Angelon shares how Surya Brasil integrates purpose, sustainability, and Ayurveda to build a conscious global beauty brand. From ethical sourcing to long-term impact, she explains why values-driven growth creates lasting trust and success.
In this International Women’s Day 2026 special, Pee Safe Co-founder Srijana Bagaria shares how the brand is challenging stigma, empowering women, and building a future where hygiene conversations are open, accessible, and stigma-free.
From breaking barriers in a male-dominated sector to shaping the future of education for thousands, Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff’s journey is one of vision and resilience. Through Kalorex, she continues to redefine inclusive and purpose-driven education in India.
In a world of swipe culture and checklists, Anuradha Gupta is building a more intentional approach to love. Through Vows for Eternity, she helps individuals move beyond filters to find partnerships rooted in clarity, compatibility, and shared purpose.
Veena Dhandhia explores the power of inner leadership in shaping women’s careers. From overcoming self-doubt to building confidence and resilience, she shares how self-mastery and mindset shifts can unlock true leadership and long-term professional growth.
Christelle D’Cruz talks about co-founding SuperGaming, building games for millions, and driving innovation in India’s booming gaming industry. She shares insights on leadership, diversity, and the growing role of women in game development.
Astha Jain discusses how Ayuvya is empowering women with leadership roles, digital skills, and inclusive growth. From a 40% women workforce to future wellness initiatives, she shares insights on building a diverse and future-ready consumer health brand.
In this interview, Nikita Kumawat talks about building Brandworks Technologies from scratch, scaling to 40+ brands, and creating a 70% women-led workforce. She shares insights on design-led manufacturing, supply chains, and India’s growing electronics ecosystem.
In-app communication platform CometChat has announced raising a strategic funding of $6.5 million ( Rs 60 crore ) from its existing investors Run Ventures to up its AI play for key ecosystems. The Company has raised $21.1 million till date in funding including the current round. This round follows a
Drishti Madnani talks about building Shryoan Cosmetics, transitioning from cosmetic wholesaling to a D2C beauty brand, and creating affordable, high-quality makeup designed for Indian skin tones and everyday confidence.
Dishis Jewels, founded by Dishi Somani, blends handcrafted artistry with bold statement designs. In this interview, she shares her journey of building a D2C jewellery brand, the challenges of being a woman founder, and lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Indian honey market is growing steadily as consumers increasingly prefer natural, organic, and health-focused products. The market was valued at around $449.8 million in 2024 and is projected to reach over $626 million by 2033, driven by rising awareness of wellness, sustainable farming, and beekeeping. At the same
Sangeeta Sikdar Bhatia, co-founder of TOABH, shares how she built one of India’s leading talent management agencies, nurtured emerging talent, and is creating new opportunities for women in the evolving entertainment and influencer ecosystem.
Avni and Ashni Biyani discuss building Foodstories, a gourmet retail brand focused on clean ingredients, conscious sourcing, and transparent food stories, while shaping how modern Indian consumers discover and experience premium food.
Sukriti Mendiratta, founder of Panda’s Box, shares how the brand is creating screen-free, culturally rooted learning experiences for young children through mantra toys, books, and storytelling products while addressing modern parenting concerns around screen time and early development.
Joyal Abraham of inticure discusses why sexual and emotional wellness remains a taboo topic in India. She shares how technology-driven platforms are helping women access private, stigma-free care, break long-standing silence around intimacy, and shape the future of the sexual wellness industry.
Vygr News is building a new kind of creator ecosystem, one that empowers women from Tier II–IV towns to produce credible, hyperlocal informational content. By combining training, editorial support, and stable income opportunities, the platform is helping regional women become trusted voices in their communities. In this conversation with
In the fast-growing world of digital transformation, many startups are built by founders who identify everyday problems and turn them into practical technology solutions. Ashwini Devi S, Founder of SwagatRCS Tech Solutions, is one such entrepreneur who transitioned from academia and homemaking to building a SaaS-driven business. In this interview
Mumbai’s café culture has grown rapidly in recent years, but creating a space that truly blends community, design, and distinctive flavors remains a challenge. Mokai India was born from founder Kareena Bulchandani’s experiences across Asia and her desire to recreate the calm, thoughtful café culture she discovered in
Infosys is adjusting its hybrid work structure and has asked more workers to work from the office at least four days a week. The business is broadening its return-to-office requirements. Workers at specific units have just been notified by the IT services major that personnel at employment levels 6A and
Bollywood’s leading ladies are proving they are more than just entertainers. In 2026, many are transforming stardom into business empires, swapping the silver screen for the boardroom. These women are not merely endorsing products; they are creating brands, disrupting industries, and inspiring a new generation of female entrepreneurs. Their
The global technology conversation increasingly revolves around platforms that can simplify digital interactions while maintaining transparency and user control. At the recent ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, one such conversation included representatives from Enso Webworks, where the company highlighted its approach to building a connected digital
When people talk about Dubai’s transformation from a small trading town into a global business hub, a few names frequently appear in the conversation. One of them is Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the founder and chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, one of the Gulf region’s most prominent
Netflix has launched a biographical drama series, Hello Bachhon, on 6 March 2026, inspired by the real-life journey of Alakh Pandey, founder of India’s fast-growing edtech platform PhysicsWallah. The series premiered globally on Netflix and has already drawn attention from viewers, particularly in the business and education sectors. The
On the occasion of International Women's Day, we spoke with Tanya Eldred Bhat, the founder of XO Curls, about building a brand dedicated to celebrating natural curls in India. In this interview with StartupTalky, Bhat shares the inspiration behind starting XO Curls, the journey of creating products for
When we think of startup judges on Shark Tank India, we often expect investors from tech, consumer brands, or SaaS founders. But Hardik Kothiya brings a unique and powerful perspective that of a renewable energy pioneer who has helped build one of India’s fastest-growing solar manufacturing companies from the
nailinit, a community-first nail care brand focused on Gen Z and millennial consumers, has raised ₹2.5–3 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF) and Marsshot VC along with other angel investors, the consumer investment platform backed by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath.
What does it take to run a ferry service with a near-perfect strike rate from the very first day of operations? For Nautika, India’s youngest and fastest-growing premium ferry operator in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the answer has always been simple: hire from the islands, train with heart,
Bengaluru-based Pulse has raised a $4 million seed round led by 3one4 Capital, with participation from Incubate Fund Asia & Stride Ventures, and angel investors including founders of Blackbuck and Agrizy to build a full-stack, asset-light medical equipment manufacturing brand that designs, sources and delivers affordable, globally compliant products at
Ethera, a Bengaluru-based laboratory-grown diamond jewellery brand, has raised ₹25 crore from Bluestone, which has doubled down on its investment to support the brand’s next phase of growth and expansion. The development marks a continued commitment towards scaling Ethera’s market presence. India’s lab-grown diamond jewellery market is
Digital Striker Private Limited, an optical fiber tools and equipment company founded by Priyanka, has raised $1 million (approx. ₹8.5 crore) from Foxhog Ventures, the USA-based venture capital firm led by CEO, Mr. Tarun Poddar. The funding will be used to set up India's first manufacturing unit
A high-profile US legal case has emerged this week involving a young fintech founder once celebrated as a rising star in the tech world. Gökçe Güven, a 26-year-old Turkish entrepreneur and former Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, has been charged by US federal prosecutors with multiple counts of fraud, including
In the early days of a startup, speed feels like the only advantage that matters. Founders hire quickly, ship fast, solve problems in real time, and keep the culture “organic.” It works. Until it doesn’t. Somewhere between 15 and 30 employees, many startups hit an invisible wall. Execution slows
* Repeat investment signals continued conviction in Biopeak’s approach to longevity and preventive care in India * Capital to expand multidisciplinary specialist-led clinics, diagnostics, proprietary AI and research, including a new flagship centre in Bengaluru * Biopeak is focused on strengthening healthspan at a population level through clinically grounded, India-first care models
MeMeraki, India’s largest culture-tech platform enabling technology-led market access for traditional Indian arts and crafts, has raised an undisclosed institutional investment from Next Bharat Ventures, the impact investment arm backed by Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan. The investment will support the company’s next phase of growth, with a focus
In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, marking National Tourism Day, Mr. Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder of The Hosteller, shares how the brand has grown into one of India’s largest self-operated backpacker hostel networks while redefining youth travel experiences. With 70+ properties across mountains, beaches, cities, and heritage destinations,
The IT services market is forecasted to reach $1.65 trillion in 2026, growing from $1.51 trillion in 2025, with projections of $2.51 trillion by 2031 at a CAGR of 8.78% from 2026 to 2031. As more companies adopt cloud, AI, and custom software, the demand for
- Silver jumped to INR 3.34 lakh/kg on MCX, but fell 4% after global tensions eased. - ETF prices crashed because Indian silver had become overhyped due to Budget rumors. - Long-term demand will still remain strong for silver, say experts.
Soult, a Mangaluru-based startup, announced its official global launch at TiECon Mangaluru 2026, unveiling the world’s first Digital Life Vault designed for comprehensive legacy management. Soult enables individuals and families across the world to securely organize financial assets, critical documents, personal memories, wishes, and life instructions within one private
In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, held on the occasion of National Startup Day, Shashi Kumar, CEO & Founder of Akshayakalpa Organic, reflects on how purpose-led startups are reshaping India’s food and farming ecosystem from the ground up. Drawing from Akshayakalpa’s journey of building a farmer-first, organic dairy
As financial institutions accelerate digital transformation, a quieter shift is unfolding behind the screens, one that has less to do with visual design and more to do with how core product journeys are being rebuilt. Industry studies over the past few years have consistently shown high abandonment across onboarding, activation,
Varthana Finance, a leading NBFC in the affordable education sector in India, has secured a USD 6 million loan from WaterEquity, a global asset manager exclusively focused on water and sanitation. The funding aims to expand access to safe water and sanitation in underserved school communities across India. The proceeds
The Sustainability Mafia (SusMafia), a non-profit organisation working at the intersection of climate education, early-stage incubation, and ecosystem building, has received an INR 2 crore CSR funding from Zerodha to strengthen India’s climate talent and startup ecosystem. The funding will support SusMafia’s efforts to build a skilled, climate-aware
Arya.ag, India's largest integrated grain commerce platform, today announced that it has raised Rs 725 crore (approximately USD 80.58 million) in equity from GEF Capital Partners. The investment will enable Arya.ag to deepen its engagement with farmers and their organisations to promote climate-smart, market-led agriculture
StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky speaks with Ashvany Bansal, Founder & CMD of Mamosure, who reflects
StartupTalky presents Recap'25, a series of exclusive interviews where we connect with founders and industry leaders to reflect on their journey in 2025 and discuss their vision for the future. In this edition of Recap’25, StartupTalky features Gaurav Bhagat, Managing Director of Consortium Gifts, on how 2025
For many young earners and middle-income families, building Rs. 50 lakh in savings within ten years feels ambitious but achievable. It is a milestone that can support major life goals such as buying a home, funding a child’s education or building a strong financial foundation. The good news is
Signalling renewed market confidence and sector momentum, DJT Microfinance, one of India’s rapidly growing microfinance institutions committed to advancing financial inclusion, has secured funding of INR 130 crore from Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). This strategic funding will support the company’s expansion plans
Telegram is a messaging app with over 1 billion users and a $30+ billion valuation. Amazingly, its core team is only about 30 people. There is no big campus and no HR department – just a flat, global team led by founder Pavel Durov. How can a tiny team power a
Bangalore based IPF, India’s most trusted peer-to-peer marketplace for preloved kids’ products, has announced raising INR 3.2 crore (~$375,000) in seed funding led by Titan Capital, with participation from Better Capital and angel investors including Ranjit Pratap Singh (co-founder & CEO, Pratilipi), Aashish Jindal and Vivek Gulati
BlackSoil Capital, one of the leading alternative credit NBFCs, today announced an equity infusion of INR 65 Crore from FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, and Caspian Founder, S. Viswanatha Prasad. The capital raised will be deployed to strengthen BlackSoil Capital’s capital base and support the expansion of its
Bengaluru-based Lumov, an innovator in orthopedic recovery and rehabilitation products space, has raised a Seed Round of INR 10 Crore/ $1.2 Mn led by Incubate Fund Asia, with participation from QRG Investments and Holdings (Havells Family Office), IIMA Ventures, SIDBI, and several other noted angel investors, including Ashish Gupta
In this exclusive virtual conversation with StartupTalky, Manali Sanghvi, Co-founder of Hexafun, shares her journey of turning a creative spark into a vibrant brand that brings fun into everyday essentials. Having worked in advertising with major brands and campaigns, she stepped away from the corporate world to build something more
A Bengaluru-based startup, Yuvrit Ayurveda, today announced that it has raised $800K in a Seed round led by Incubate Fund Asia. The company is building a modern chain of Ayurvedic clinics designed to make authentic, doctor-led, Kerala-style healing accessible, standardised, and deeply outcome-driven for urban India. The fresh capital will
MoneyAse, a Bengaluru-based fintech building a next-generation credit platform for India’s underserved and emerging borrowers, has raised its first pre-seed funding round. The investment comes from a Hong Kong-based strategic angel investor who has chosen to remain anonymous. The cross-border capital infusion marks a key milestone for MoneyAse, signalling
This article has been contributed by Rakesh Wadhwa, Managing Director – Event Dynamics India Pvt. Ltd. Every entrepreneur remembers the moment their idea first felt real. It may have been a late-night conversation, a hastily scribbled note, or a “what if” that refused to go away. But what most founders do
Software testing often appears as one of those necessary, but extremely costly, tasks that emerge too early in the process for early-stage startups. Founders are involved in the always-present search for product-market fit, investor decks, feature roadmaps, and hiring chaos. Quality assurance, on the other hand, silently waits in the
Funding to accelerate Morphle Labs' market & team expansion, scale manufacturing, and deepen tech & IP leadership.
India’s baby care market is growing fast as parents seek safer, natural, and science-backed alternatives. Indimums, a modern D2C baby care brand, is pioneering this shift with the world’s first Reetha-based baby care range, combining traditional Indian ingredients with modern scientific validation. Founded by Saumya Nair Rajesh, an
In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, Saravana Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kovai.co, shares the journey of building global products like BizTalk360, Turbo360, and Document360, a globally recognized SaaS product from India. What started as a two-week internal hackathon in 2017 to solve documentation challenges for BizTalk360 has evolved
This article has been contributed by Sandeep Arora, Director of Brightsun Travel. India's travel sector is surging, fuelled by tech-empowered, adventurous travellers from smaller cities. They are driving demand for diverse experiences, ranging from local culture to global destinations. Bookings are up, with spending on the rise for
Kapil Sharma's meteoric rise from his initial days to becoming one of India’s most celebrated comedians is an inspiring tale for many people. Hailing from Amritsar, his early life was filled with struggles and hardships. His father, who served in the police force, passed away due to
This article has been contributed by Mr. Bikram Mishra, Chief Human Resource Officer, Dvara KGFS AI in Workforce Development: The Dvara KGFS Experience AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, yet its role in workforce development is still evolving. In the BFSI sector, where Dvara KGFS operates, adoption goes
The Grey Market Premium is clearly losing its excitement. However, Lenskart's total bids shocked everyone, with investors oversubscribed by over 28.3 times. So, what's going on?
Gita Gopinath’s iconic role is that she serves as the first female Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She is on leave from Harvard University’s Economics department, where she serves as the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics. Ms. Gopinath’s research, which focuses
Snapchat is set to make the platform a mix of chat, fun, and intelligence with Perplexity AI. It expects the deal to make money from 2026...
Jawed Habib is best known for snipping, styling, and making Bollywood stars look red-carpet ready for decades. Jawed Habib is one of India's most celebrated hairstylists, but nowadays he has been trending for all the wrong reasons. From viral workshop antics to multi-crore crypto fraud allegations, the man
Bharti Airtel will now pursue its appeal with the government for a similar evaluation, one day after the Supreme Court ordered the government to reevaluate the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues from Vodafone Idea for up to FY17. In an earnings call, Gopal Vittal, the managing director and vice chairman
India is considered home to some of the successful entrepreneurs across the globe. Young entrepreneurs in India are rewriting business with their latest ideas. Moreover, with access to technology and digital tools, they are transforming their ideas into reality faster than ever. Despite having to endure numerous challenges, these business
Founded by Rahul Anand and Sonia Asher 9 years ago, Paramotor has emerged as one of the most compelling stories in India’s fintech landscape, a company that has scaled profitably, stayed debt-free, and evolved with precision. What began in 2016 as a POS payments service provider has transformed into
* Drip Capital’s total debt funding raised to date exceeds $500 million, supported by global partners including Barclays, World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), and East West Bank * The latest round of funding, led by Toronto-Dominion Bank, strengthens Drip Capital’s global platform for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs)
Shark Tank India is all set to make a spectacular comeback for its fifth season, bringing new opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs across the country. One of the biggest talking points this season is the onboarding of Mohit Yadav, co‑founder of the skincare brand Minimalist, to the panel of investors.
The story of Dadasaheb Bhagat is a classic example of entrepreneurial folklore. A tenth-grade dropout who comes from a village hit by drought. A person who came up with DooGraphics, India's indigenous alternative to Canva. Bhagat was born in Sangvi Patan in Beed district of Maharashtra. He was
Most advice given to startups and other growing businesses is often focused on the first year of operations as this is the most critical for ensuring that the business can survive into the future. However, many second-year considerations aren't as widely discussed, even though they're just
When Selena Gomez launched a makeup brand named Rare Beauty back in 2019, some expected it to become one of the most talked-about beauty brands in the world. However, in just a few years, Rare Beauty has grown into a company worth around $2 billion. The specialty of this makeup
Managing a marketing campaign often means shifting between separate apps for writing, design, scheduling and tracking. The process slows teams down and inflates costs. Noida-based Blinkit-AI believes the answer is not another tool, but a single system. The company, founded in 2021, has raised USD 1.2 million in seed
If the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. actually comes through, and if TikTok somehow joins the mix, then Larry Ellison could end up commanding one of the most powerful media empires in modern history. For years, Larry Ellison was the wild child of Silicon Valley, the brash Oracle co-founder
Cricket lovers often argue that the spirit of the game matters more than the scoreboard, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might just be the best proof of that. For many years, the team became a synonym of hope and disappointment, a franchise that promised the world but often fell short
Venture Catalysts, India’s premier early-stage investor and integrated incubator, today announced that it has led the $850K seed round in Umagine Hydrogen Pvt. Ltd. (branded H2 Carbon Zero), a deep-tech manufacturer of modular, stackable fuel-cell systems for stationary power generation. The round also saw participation from Faad Networks, which
Australia is consistently among the world’s top study destinations — a powerful combination of high-quality universities, industry-linked curriculum, a multicultural student community and clear post-study pathways. Azent’s Priyanka Nishar (Founder & Managing Director) explains what sets Australia apart and the holistic experience it offers which makes Australia an excellent
This article has been contributed by Deven Shah, Chief Executive Officer & Whole Time Director of Jyoti Global Plast The global semiconductor race is often described through the lens of billion-dollar fabrication plants, lithography machines and export controls. Yet, behind the gleaming cleanrooms lies a quieter contest, over who controls
YouTube has drastically transformed from a casual video-sharing site into a global career platform for numerous content creators. India is home to some of the most popular content creators worldwide. Inspired by international icons like MrBeast, the biggest YouTuber in the world, Indian creators are now building million-dollar empires through
Hiranandani Financial Services (HFS), a Non‑Banking Financial Company (NBFC) focused on empowering micro and small‑business entrepreneurs, today announced its maiden external equity fundraise of ₹800 crore (approximately US$91.5 million). As part of the transaction, funds managed by Vitruvian Partners, a global investment firm that backs high-growth
This article has been contributed by Puneet Gulati, Founder & Promoter at Tecsox In today's fast-moving digital world, leadership persuasion is no longer done only in boardrooms, with annual reports, and slick keynote speeches. The science behind how leaders relate to people has changed and has found one
This article has been contributed by Heniel Rupaarelia, Founder, Managing Director at ETrav Tech Ltd India is awakening to an unprecedented surge in tourism. Once viewed as a minor contributor to GDP, it has now taken a centrestage, and is expected to double its economic impact from INR 14 trillion
This article has been contributed by Ankur Mehta, Chief of Staff, Stylework For decades, India’s Global Capability Centers have been known as cost-effective back offices, handling processes, running operations, and delivering efficiency to global multinationals. But that picture is rapidly changing. Today, India’s GCCs have transformed into strategic
India’s real estate and infrastructure sector continues to expand as cities grow and new business hubs emerge. GMI Infra, headquartered in Chandigarh and active in Mohali, develops IT parks, logistics hubs, textile zones and residential communities. The company focuses on building integrated spaces that combine practical design with sustainable
The Tata Group's premier financial services company, Tata Capital, moved one step closer to its massive initial public offering (IPO) on September 26 when it submitted its red herring prospectus to the bourses and Sebi. According to an exchange disclosure, the offer includes a new issue of up
Xbattery, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech startup developing next-generation Battery Management Systems (BMS), has raised $2.3 million in its Seed funding led by Bipin Patel Family Office with participation from Jhaveri Credits. The funding will support R&D, hardware sourcing, talent hiring, and scaling prototypes for early orders and commercialisation.
A 6,600% hike on H-1B visas is not okay for Google employees, and they want justice for anyone on the verge of losing their jobs and...
Meta’s $10B Louisiana data center promised 500 jobs. But now only 100 will be filled. What happened to the rest? Locals and watchdogs are asking tough questions about Big Tech’s real impact.
The company notably made 82% (INR 40 Cr) profits in FY25, but the risks in the furniture rental industry still loom. Learn more.
Gameskraft’s CFO scandal came to light on September 9, 2025, but Ramesh Prabhu confessed he stole ₹250 in March after losing all the money in...
BeyondSquare Solutions Pvt Ltd., the Bengaluru-based IT product enterprise behind the flagship product FinAlyzer, today announced that it has raised USD 4 Million as Series A funding from Avant Global Corporation. The investment will be executed in three stages, beginning with the issuance of new and convertible shares, followed by
Kashmir, often dubbed “India’s Switzerland,” is much more than scenic beauty, says Anupam Mittal, Founder and CEO of People Group and investor on Shark Tank India. Speaking in a recent LinkedIn post, Mittal argued that the region’s real charm lies in its resilience rather than mere aesthetics. “Switzerland